.png)
Our members were wrongly labelled ghost workers, Anambra NULGE president
By Madu Obi
The Anambra State president of the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Comrade Chikwelu Adigwe has said that some of his members were wrongly labelled ghost workers and demanded that the affected workers should be paid their salary arrears.
The State Local Government Service Commission recently announced the discovery of 427 ghost workers on its payroll, including 59 deceased employees, 40 retired staff, and 11 individuals living abroad.
But the NULGE president, who described the situation as unfortunate, said over 30 genuine workers have not received their salaries for three months, adding that the affected workers stormed NULGE office office in Awka to protest.
Adigwe lamented that non-payment of the salaries had subjected the affected workers and their families to hardship and suffering and urged the state government to investigate the matter and clear their names.
He said he was at a loss as to the criteria deployed to determine the real ghost workers, as their leaders at the grassroots had not confirmed such allegations.
He said: "Since the ghost workers' rumour started spreading, we've not made any statement. We've forwarded the complaints of those affected to the Commission, but are surprised to hear that some of them have not been paid.
"I don't know the yardstick used to come about the ghost workers. There are procedures to be followed, including verification and issuing of query, but I learnt none of such was carried out.
"We're going to delegate three executive officers to accompany the affected workers to the commission to hear from the Chairman.
"It's unfortunate that this is happening under the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo who is passionate about workers' welfare, including prompt payments of salaries".
Comments